Prostate gland massaging device



Nov. 3, 1953 c. F. BONHAM PROSTATE GLAND MASSAGING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June '7, 1950 FIG. 2

INVENTOR.

CLAUDE F. BONHAM BY wbw mo/ ATTORNEY Nov. 3, 1953 c. F. BONHA'M 2,657,687

PROSTATE GLAND MASSAGING DEVICE Filed June 7, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

CLAUDE F. BONHAM ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 3, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PROSTATE GLAND MASSAGING DEVICE Claude F. Bonham, Ravenna, Ohio Application June 7, 1950, Serial No. 166,623

" 8 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a device for massaging the prostate gland.

Abnormal conditions of prostate glands in men are frequently cured or at least relieved by physicians. It is also possible that massage of a normal prostate may delay or inhibit the occurrence of abnormal conditions in later years. In such instances a forefinger, to which a sanitary rubber finger cot has been applied, is inserted in the rectum and the gland is massaged by manipulation of the end of the finger. Although this method is beneficial it has certain disadvantages, and in particular some physicians find this type of treatment distasteful and may tend to avoid its use to the possible detriment of the patient.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved mechanical device by which men desiring such treatments, either remedial or preventative, may perform the massaging operations upon themselves, thereby gaining the advantages of the economy of self-treatment, as well as directly experiencing the effectiveness of the treatments at the time administered and the results of the same.

Another object of the invention is to provide a massaging device of the character described which is sanitary and safe to use, and which reduces to a minimum the possibility of the fingers of the user coming in contact with soiled portions of the device.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a massaging device including a reciprocable massaging element and a flexible sanitary sac for the purposes described, wherein improved means is provided for positioning said sac for self-use by the patient and for facilitating proper gauging of the depth to which the massaging element is extended.

These and other objects of the invention will be manifest from the following brief description and the accompanying drawings.

Of the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a complete massaging device embodying the features of the invention, the same being shown applied within the rectum of a male patient for massaging the prostate gland, and the body of the patient being shown semi-diagrammatically.

Figure 2 is an explosion view, in side elevation, of the several parts of the massaging device.

Figure 3 is a. side elevation, partly broken away and in section, showing a collar or shield of the device with a sanitary sac as it is attached to the collar initially.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, but showhi on 2 ing the sac turned. inside out through the collar and ready for use. 7

Figure 5 is an end view of Figure 4, as viewed from the right thereof.

Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross-section of the collar and sac as shown in Figure 4, but with the massaging element inserted in the sac ready for use in the relationship illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a view corresponding to Figure 5, but illustrating a modified shape of collar or shield.

Figure 8 is a side elevation of a modified form of massaging element for use in the combinations best shown in Figures 1, 2 and 6.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 to 6, there is illustrated one form of the improved massaging device, including a collar or shield 10, an elongated sanitary sac i l removably and interchangeably attachable thereto, and reciprocable massaging element l2 (see Figures 1, 2 and 6).

The collar l0 may be made of relatively rigid material, such as hard rubber, synthetic resin, metal, etc., and has a relatively thin annular flanged portion l3 and a reduced neck portion l4 concentric with a central opening l5 approximating three quarters of an inch in diameter, extended through the collar. The outer periphery of the neck 14 is provided with an annular groove NS for yielding reception therein of an expansible reinforcing bead II a at the opening end of the sanitary sac I I (see Figure 3), which may be of thin, elastic, moisture-proof material, such as dipped natural or synthetic rubber.

The massaging element l2 may be of molded rubber or other resilient plastic material, formed with a rounded ball-like knob H3 at one end converging into a generally cylindrical stem portion I9 of reduced diameter (see Figure 6), which is connected to a handle 20 of suitable shape at the opposite end of the element. The greatest diameter of knob I8 is slightly smaller than the diameter of opening 15 of collar [0, so that the knob may pass freely through said opening with the sac ll positioned on the collar as shown in Figure 6. When the element is of relatively soft rubber it may have molded into the same an elongated reinforcing strip 2| of flexible resilient material, such as spring wire, to give the element satisfactory rigidity longitudinally but with some degree of lateral flexibility. In any event, it is desirable that the knob l8 be of relatively soft yielding material, such as soft or spongy rubber. In some instances, however, it may be desirable to provide the element I 2 with a knob I 8 of relatively more rigid material.

In use of the massaging device described above, it is first prepared by applying a clean sanitary sac l l to the collar [0, with the rubber reinforcing bead I la expanded over the neck M into an nular retaining groove I6, as shown in Figure 3, and then the sac is reversed through the opening 15 of the collar, as shown in Figure 4. Next, the massaging element is inserted through the opening of the collar and until the massaging knob 38 engages the rounded closed end of the sac as illustrated in Figure 6. Reversal of the sac, however, may be accomplished by the same movement of inserting the massaging element.

With the device assembled as in Figure 6, and the outside of the sac suitably lubricated, the patient desiring self-treatment, while lying on his side with the right knee drawn up, inserts the sac into the rectum by gently pressing upon the element [2, until the collar engages the surrounding body portions Without substantial stretching of the sac. Trial and experience will teach the proper length of sac for use by the individual patient order that the massaging knob will be concentrated. on the prostate gland when the collar is so positioned and the sac has little or no tension applied thereto. It is then a simple matter for the patient to reciprocate the element in a manner that his own senses will indicate the degree of pressure which must be applied by the massaging knob to the prostate gland, and the extent to which the gland condition is relieved or benefited.

Upon completion of a massaging treatment, the patient removes the complete unit by withdrawing the massaging elenient i2 and collar it, with the sac attached thereto, at the same time. Thereafter upon withdrawing the massaging element from the sac M the latter will be reversed through the opening l e of the collar, so that the soiled portion will be presented inwardly oi" the sac, and the sac can then be removed from the collar and disposed of without soiling the fingers. Because the messaging element never comes into contact with the outside of the sac in the condition of use thereof shown in Figures 1, 4 and '6, said-element does not become soiled. The collar is easily cleaned, if necessary, but due to its simple economical construction it may be disposable with the sac after one use.

In Figure 7 there is illustrated a collar 23 and sac'2e attached "to the neck 25 thereof, as before, the collar, however, having an elongated laterally generally ovate hanged portion or shield 26. This flange shape provides greater protection against "selling the fingers.

Figure '8 illustrates a modified to-rm of massaging element 27, which is in all respects the same as the element 12, except that the knob 28a and reduced stem portion 28 have a thin moisture-proof elastic sac 3"! distended over the same, so that in case this protective cover becomes soiled it may be readily replaced by a clean cover.

Other modifications of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A prostate gland massager, comprising a collar having an opening therethrough, a sac of thin, flexible material and having an open end, means attaching the open end of said sac onto said collar, and an elongated element provided with a massaging knob at one end received within said sac through said opening of the collar, said elongated element being of resilient plastic material including said knob at one end thereof, a hand grip at the other end thereof, and an integral intermediate portion of reduced diameter with respect to said knob.

2. A prostate gland massager, comprising a collar having an opening therethrough, a sac of thin, flexible material and having an open end, means attaching the open end of said sac onto said collar, and an elongated element provided with a massaging knob ,at one end received within said sac through said opening of the collar, said elongated element being of resilient plastic material including said knob at said one end thereof, a hand grip at the other end thereof, and an integral intermediate portion of reduced diameter with respect to said knob, said knob and intermediate portion having removably received thereon a cover of moisture impervious material.

'3. A prostate gland massager, comprising a collar having an opening therethrough, a sac of thin, flexible material and having an open end, means attaching the open end of said sa'c onto said collar, and a separate elongated element having one end portion inserted through said opening in the collar and proportioned to be shiftable with respect thereto, said end portion terminating in a massaging knob to be within the sac, said element having :a hand grip portion .at the other end protruding outwardly of the collar, whereby said element is :shii tab'le -with respect to said collar by means of said hand grip for massaging purposes.

4. A prostate gland massager, comprising a collar having retaining portions and also having an opening therethrough, a sac of thin, flexible material and having a yield-"ugly 'eXpansi-ble open end portion yieldingly engaging :said retaining portions to retain the :sac on said collar, and a separate elongated element having one end portion inserted through said opening in the collar and proportioned to be 'shiftable with respect thereto, said end portion terminating in a massaging knob to be within the sac, said element having a hand :grip portion at the other end ,pro-

7 truding outwardly of the collar, whereby said element is shiftable with respect to said collar by means of said hand grip for massaging purposes.

5. .A prostate gland massager, comprising a collar having an outwardly presented peripheral grooved portion, a sac of thin, flexible material and having a bead reinforced open end portion yieldingly engaged in said grooved portion of the collar to retain the sac thereon, and a separate elongated element having one end portion insorted through said opening in the collar and proportioned to be shiftable with respect thereto, said end portion terminating in a massaging knob within the sac, said element having a hand grip portion at the other end protruding outwardly of the collar, whereby said element is shiftable with respect to said collar by means of said hand grip for massaging purposes.

6. A prostrate gland massager, comprising a collar having "an outwardly presented peripheral grooved portion, a sac of thin, flexible elastic material and having a bead reinforced-open-end portion yieldingly engaged in said grooved portion of the collar to retain the sac thereon, and a-separate elongated element having one end portion inserted through opening in the and proportioned to be shiftab'le with respect thereto, said end portion terminating in :a massaging knob within the sac, said element having a hand grip portion at the other end protruding out- Wardly o-i the collar, whereby said element is shiftable with respect to said collar by means of said hand grip for massaging purposes.

7. A prostrate gland massager, comprising a collar having a generally ovate shield and a reduced neck portion extending from one face thereof, an opening being provided through said shield and neck portion, a sac of thin, flexible material and open at one end, means on said neck portion and said sac releasably attaching the open end of said sac to the collar, and a separate elongated element having one end portion inserted through said opening in the collar and proportioned to be shiftable with respect thereto, said end portion terminating in a massaging knob within the sac, said element having a hand grip portion at the other end protruding outwardly of the collar, whereby said element is shiftable with respect to said collar by means of said hand grip for massaging purposes.

8. A prostrate gland massager, comprising a 20 sac of thin, flexible moisture-proof material, an

apertured collar attached to said sac with an opening end of the sac communicating with said collar aperture, and a separate elongated element having one end portion inserted through said opening in the collar and proportioned to be shiftable with respect thereto, said end portion terminating in a massaging knob within the sac, said element having a hand grip portion at the other end protruding outwardly of the collar, whereby said element is shiftable with respect to said collar by means of said hand grip for massaging purposes.

CLAUDE F. BONHAM.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,327,786 Stephan Jan. 13, 1920 2,527,321 Mette Oct. 24, 1950 

